William Worrall Mayo (Founder)
The English-born physician who settled in Rochester, Minnesota, and founded the medical practice that grew into Mayo Clinic. His commitment to rigorous, science-based medicine set the tone for everything that followed.
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
The medical school of Mayo Clinic, the number one hospital in the United States, with campuses in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida.
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United States
Country
Rochester (MN)
City
#1 Hospital (US)
Ranking
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
- Study programme:Doctor of Medicine (MD, equivalent to MBBS)
- Language:English
- Duration:4 Years (graduate-entry MD)
- University type:Private, operated by Mayo Clinic (three campuses)
- Per academic year fees:$70,280 · ₹67,70,000 INR (approx.), offset by Jay Alix scholarships
- Entrance examination:MCAT (no separate university entrance exam)
- Application deadline:AMCAS cycle (typically late October)
- International seats:Very limited (~3 international matriculants; FAFSA/Canadian-aid eligibility required)
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine building in Rochester, Minnesota
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Recognition & Prestige
Rankings & Recognition
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is built around Mayo Clinic, one of the most respected medical institutions in the world. Its recognition rests above all on the standing of its teaching hospital, ranked the number one hospital in the United States, and on a long history of clinical innovation.
#1
US News Best Hospitals: Mayo Clinic (2025-26, 36th time)
#1
Newsweek World's Best Hospital 2026: Mayo Clinic
The medical degree is recognised internationally. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine's MD programme is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). A US MD does not meet the NMC's FMGL Regulations 2021, so it does not make graduates eligible to sit FMGE in India.
Accreditations and Recognition
LCME
The MD programme is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the recognised accrediting body for MD-granting medical schools in the United States.
WDOMS
Listed in WDOMS, the World Directory of Medical Schools.
NMC (India) position
A US MD does not meet the NMC's FMGL Regulations 2021: it is shorter than 54 months of study and has no 12-month internship at the same university, so graduates admitted after 18 November 2021 cannot sit FMGE. The NMC does not accredit US schools.
Complete Information About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
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Success stories
Student Success Stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
Key Highlights of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is built around one of the world's most respected medical institutions. These are the reasons it is so highly regarded, useful context even though it is not a practical route for students applying from India.
Built Around the US's #1 Hospital
Jay Alix Scholarship Support
Small, Highly Selective Class
Science of Health Care Delivery
Three-Campus Model
Team-Based Mayo Model of Care
Affordable Living in Rochester
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How to Apply
Admission Process for the MD
Admission to the MD at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), based on a completed bachelor's degree, the MCAT and a holistic review. Mayo admits only a very small number of international students, and foreign nationals must generally show eligibility to file the US FAFSA or receive Canadian financial aid. There is no NEET requirement and no direct entry after Class 12. Mayo requires a bachelor's degree from a US or Canadian university, an MCAT of 510 or above, and eligibility for US or Canadian federal student aid, which Indian nationals without US permanent residency do not have (Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine).
Admission Timeline
- 1May 2026AMCAS Opens
The AMCAS application for the entering MD class opens for submission.
- 2Late October 2026Application Deadline
Final date to submit the AMCAS application to Mayo for the cycle.
- 3November 2026Secondary Application
Eligible applicants complete the Mayo supplemental application and essays.
- 4Dec 2026 – Feb 2027Interviews
Invited candidates complete Mayo interviews.
- 5Through Spring 2027Admission Decisions
Offers of admission are released on a rolling basis.
- 6July 2027Classes Begin
The new MD class matriculates and orientation begins.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree from an accredited US institution before matriculation, together with the required pre-medical coursework and strong performance in the sciences.
Subjects:
BiologyChemistry (general & organic)BiochemistryPhysicsStatisticsHumanities / Social Sciences
Citizenship / Aid Eligibility
This is the decisive eligibility point for Indian students. Mayo admits only a small number of international students, and foreign nationals are generally eligible only if they can show, at the time of application, eligibility to file the US FAFSA or to receive Canadian federal or provincial financial aid. A student applying from India normally cannot meet this condition.
- Aid eligibility required for foreign nationalsForeign nationals eligible only if able to file US FAFSA or receive Canadian aid
Requirements
Eligible applicants must submit the AMCAS application with MCAT scores, then complete the Mayo secondary application and interview. Selection is holistic, with strong weight on academics, research and service.
Entrance Exam
The MCAT is required for all applicants. The average matriculant score is about 521; there is no published minimum cutoff and there is no separate university entrance exam.
Aid Eligibility
Foreign nationals are generally eligible only if they can file the US FAFSA or receive Canadian financial aid, which is a significant barrier for applicants from India.
Entrance Examination
Admission is based on the MCAT and a holistic review of the whole application, not on category-wise minimum marks.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) | Required for all applicants. Average matriculant score about 521 out of 528. No fixed minimum, reviewed holistically. |
| Undergraduate GPA | Average matriculant GPA is about 3.95 out of 4.00, with strong performance expected in the pre-medical sciences. |
Required Documents
Eligible applicants submit essential academic, testing and identification documents:
- Completed AMCAS application
- MCAT scores (submitted through AMCAS)
- Official undergraduate transcripts from an accredited US institution
- Letters of recommendation
- + More
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Programme Structure
MD Curriculum & Clinical Structure
Students follow a four-year MD curriculum that combines strong basic science, early clinical experience at Mayo Clinic, and the distinctive Science of Health Care Delivery strand, taught entirely in English.
Doctor of Medicine (MD) Programme
Total Duration:
4 Years
Degree:
MD (Doctor of Medicine, equivalent to MBBS)
Curriculum Phases at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Pre-clerkship (Years 1–2)
Foundational Science & Early Clinical Skills
Integrated basic and clinical sciences with early patient contact at Mayo Clinic, alongside the start of the Science of Health Care Delivery strand:
Molecular & Cellular FoundationsAnatomyPhysiologyGeneticsPharmacologyPathologyClinical SkillsClerkships (Year 3)
Core Clinical Clerkships
Core clinical clerkships across the major specialties at Mayo Clinic hospitals, giving hands-on patient care experience within Mayo's team-based model:
Internal MedicineSurgeryPaediatricsObstetrics & GynaecologyPsychiatryNeurologyFamily MedicineAdvanced Study (Year 4)
Advanced Electives & Science of Health Care Delivery
Advanced electives, sub-internships and a research or scholarly experience, with the Science of Health Care Delivery certificate completed alongside clinical training:
Sub-internshipsAdvanced Clinical ElectivesResearch / Scholarly ProjectScience of Health Care Delivery
Clinical Rotations
Clinical training takes place at Mayo Clinic across its Rochester, Arizona and Florida campuses, beginning with early clinical skills and building to full core clerkships and advanced electives.
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Pre-clerkship | Integrated science and early clinical skills at Mayo Clinic. |
| Core Clerkships | Core clerkships in internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics-gynaecology, psychiatry and neurology at Mayo hospitals. |
| Advanced Study | Advanced electives, sub-internships and the Science of Health Care Delivery experience. |
Get the full curriculum
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Clinical Network
Mayo Clinic Campuses & Affiliated Institutions
Mayo is a US school and does not run the EU Erasmus+ exchange programme. Instead, it teaches across Mayo Clinic's own campuses and health system, where students complete their clinical training. The sites and partners below are among the principal parts of that network.
| Institution | Focus / Role |
|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic, Rochester (Minnesota) | Flagship campus and #1-ranked US hospital; main MD campus |
| Mayo Clinic, Arizona (Phoenix/Scottsdale) | Full MD campus and teaching hospital in the Southwest |
| Mayo Clinic, Florida (Jacksonville) | Full MD campus and teaching hospital in the Southeast |
| Mayo Clinic Cancer Center | Oncology teaching and research across campuses |
| Mayo Clinic Children's Center | Paediatrics teaching and care |
| Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences | PhD and MD-PhD research training |
| Mayo Clinic Health System | Regional hospitals and clinics across the Midwest |
| Arizona State University (partner) | Co-developer of the Science of Health Care Delivery |
| Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine | Genomics and precision-medicine research |
| Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center | Science of Health Care Delivery research |
Explore the Mayo Clinic Network
The list above highlights the campuses and centres where Mayo medical students train. Get the full picture from our experts.
Legacy
Prominent Figures of Mayo Clinic
Because the medical school opened in 1972, its legacy is inseparable from the wider Mayo Clinic, whose founders and physicians reshaped modern medicine. These are some of the most influential figures in that history.
William J. Mayo (Co-founder)
A pioneering surgeon who helped build Mayo Clinic into the world's first integrated group medical practice. He championed teamwork among specialists, a model that transformed how hospitals are organised.
Charles H. Mayo (Co-founder)
An equally influential surgeon and co-founder of Mayo Clinic. Together the Mayo brothers made Rochester a destination for patients and doctors from around the world.
Henry S. Plummer (Physician & Innovator)
The physician-engineer who designed Mayo Clinic's integrated systems, including the unified patient medical record and interconnected clinic buildings. His innovations underpin Mayo's coordinated, team-based care.
Louis B. Wilson (Pathologist)
Developed the rapid frozen-section technique at Mayo Clinic, allowing surgeons to receive a tissue diagnosis within minutes during an operation. The method is still used in operating theatres worldwide.
Edward C. Kendall (Nobel 1950)
A Mayo Clinic biochemist who shared the 1950 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work on the hormones of the adrenal cortex, including the isolation of cortisone, opening the way to steroid-based treatments.
Philip S. Hench (Nobel 1950)
A Mayo Clinic physician who shared the 1950 Nobel Prize with Kendall for showing that cortisone could dramatically relieve rheumatoid arthritis. His work transformed the treatment of inflammatory disease.
Faculty
Mayo medicine is taught by a large faculty of practising physicians, surgeons and scientists within Mayo Clinic's integrated group practice. Students learn directly from clinicians who care for patients from around the world, in one of the most respected health systems anywhere.
Academic Expertise
Physicians and surgeons at the #1 US hospital
Faculty across every major specialty
Leaders in health-systems science
Researchers in individualized and precision medicine
Student Support & Mentorship
Small class with individual attention
Faculty advising and mentorship
Clinical supervision within the Mayo team model
Research mentorship across Mayo institutes
About University
History Information
An illuminated arch bridge over a Minnesota river at night
Mayo Clinic's Origins (1889)
A Medical School Opens (1972)
A historic stone arch bridge and a Minnesota city skyline at dusk
Renamed for Jay Alix (2018)
A World Leader Today
Get all information about the US MD pathway in our free guide
Read on to understand the US medical-education system and honest options for Indian students.
Role in medicine
Role in medical education
A Minnesota twin-cities skyline at dusk over the river
The Home of Integrated, Team-Based Care
Clinical Innovation from Cortisone to Today
A Global Reputation, Limited Direct Admission
Get all information about the US MD pathway in our free guide
Read on to understand how the US system works and what it means for Indian students.
Cost of studying
MD Living Cost in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota is a smaller, more affordable city than Boston, San Francisco or New York, so living costs at Mayo's main campus are lower than at many top US medical schools. Here is an approximate monthly breakdown for an MD student, quoted in Indian rupees.
Monthly Living Cost
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (rent, Rochester MN) | ₹70,000 – ₹1,20,000 |
| Food | ₹35,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Transportation (local transit) | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 |
| Health Insurance & Other (utilities, internet, personal) | ₹40,000 – ₹65,000 |
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Average monthly living cost
₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000
Housing
Accommodation
Mayo medical students generally rent apartments close to the Rochester, Arizona or Florida campuses, supported by Mayo's student services. Rochester in particular offers affordable housing within walking or short-commute distance of the clinic.
Housing Near Campus
Affordable Rochester
Furnished & Unfurnished Options
Kitchens & Shared Spaces
Cost
Student Services Support
Getting Around
Different Campuses, Different Cities
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
100% Veg Options and Indian Food, Always Available
Indian and vegetarian food is available in Rochester and more widely across the Mayo campus cities, and students can easily cook at home.
Mayo Clinic campuses have cafeterias and cafes serving affordable daily meals near classes and the hospital, with vegetarian and vegan options available.
Rochester has several Indian restaurants, and the Arizona (Phoenix) and Florida (Jacksonville) campus cities have a wider range, serving dal, roti, sabzi, biryani and curries, with vegetarian options common.
Indian grocery stores in Rochester and the larger campus cities stock everyday essentials such as grains, lentils, spices, flour and rice, so students can cook home-style meals.
Student apartments have kitchens where students can cook their own meals, which is often the most economical and reliable option for Indian vegetarian food.
Rochester and the campus cities have delivery services such as DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart, allowing students to order meals and groceries, including from Indian restaurants and stores.
Location
How to Reach Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Address
200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States (main campus)
Nearest Airport
Rochester International Airport (RST); Minneapolis-Saint Paul International (MSP) is about 90 minutes away
Local Transport
Rochester is compact and walkable near the clinic, with local buses and a downtown subway-and-skyway system linking Mayo buildings.
Your Roadmap to Success
Career Pathways After the MD at Mayo
Graduates earn the MD (Doctor of Medicine) from the medical school of Mayo Clinic, a degree recognised internationally and equivalent to the MBBS.
Most graduates enter US residency training through the National Resident Matching Program, including many at Mayo Clinic itself, then practise after completing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
A US MD does not meet the NMC's FMGL Regulations 2021: it is shorter than 54 months of study and has no 12-month internship at the same university. Graduates admitted after 18 November 2021 cannot sit FMGE, so this degree does not lead to practice in India.
The MD is a recognised route to licensing in many countries, including the United Kingdom through the GMC pathway, giving graduates broad international mobility.
Mayo's research strength and its Science of Health Care Delivery focus open strong pathways into academic medicine, health-systems improvement and biomedical research alongside clinical practice.
Mayo MD graduates frequently move into academic medicine and leadership, building on Mayo's reputation for team-based, patient-first care.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
FMGE Details
A US MD does not meet the NMC's rules for practising in India. The NMC's FMGL Regulations 2021 ask for at least 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship at the same university. A US MD is a four-year course taken after a bachelor's degree, and the first year of work after it is a hospital residency, not an internship at the medical school. So a student admitted after 18 November 2021 cannot sit FMGE, the exam a foreign medical graduate takes before working in India, with a US MD. The route a US MD opens is practice in the USA: the USMLE, the US licensing exams, and then residency. The NBEMS FMGE bulletin still lists an exemption for doctors who hold both a medical degree and a postgraduate qualification from the USA and are registered there. The same bulletin says students admitted after 18 November 2021 are judged under the FMGL rules, so this is not a route to plan an India career around.
Step 1
USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK
US MD graduates sit the USMLE, the US licensing exams. Step 1 and Step 2 CK are usually passed during medical school, before applying for residency.
Step 2
Residency Through the Match
Graduates apply through ERAS and are placed in a residency programme through the NRMP Match. The first year of residency is a hospital job, not an internship at the medical school.
Step 3
State Medical Licence
After passing USMLE Step 3 during residency, doctors apply for a licence from a US state medical board. This is a route to practice in the USA, not in India.
Student Life Style
Student life at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Studying for the MD is a mix of intensive academics, early clinical exposure and personal growth, within one of the world's most respected health systems. Mayo's smaller class sizes and Rochester's manageable scale give a close-knit, supportive student experience.
A Minnesota riverfront and city skyline at dusk
Academics
Campus and Facilities
Challenges and Growth
Social Life
Overall Experience
Scholarship & Financial
Scholarship & Financial Aid
Mayo offers exceptional scholarship support for its MD students, transformed by the Jay Alix gift, though most US financial aid is aimed at US students.
The 2018 gift of $200 million from businessman Jay Alix funds scholarships for MD students, substantially reducing tuition costs so that Mayo graduates carry far less debt than the US average.
- Scholarship support for admitted MD students
- Sharply reduced graduate debt
- Funded by the $200 million Jay Alix gift
Mayo provides additional need-based and merit-based financial aid to eligible students, layered on top of the Jay Alix scholarship support.
Students admitted to the combined MD-PhD programme receive tuition support and a stipend through Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Compare
Compare Colleges
Compare Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine vs AIIMS Delhi
| University | Mayo Clinic AlixRochester, USA | AIIMS DelhiIndia |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Private, operated by Mayo Clinic | Public (Institute of National Importance) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course Duration | 4 years (MD, graduate-entry) | 5.5 years (MBBS, incl. internship) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹67.7 lakh ($70,280), offset by Alix scholarships | ~₹1,600 (nominal government fees) |
| Admission | Bachelor's + MCAT + AMCAS; FAFSA/Canadian-aid eligibility for foreign nationals | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | LCME; listed in WDOMS; not FMGE-eligible under NMC rules | NMC-recognised |
| International students | Very limited (aid-eligibility gated) | Admitted via NEET / dedicated seats |
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.
Only in very limited circumstances. Mayo admits only a handful of international students, and foreign nationals are generally eligible only if they can file the US FAFSA or receive Canadian financial aid. A student applying from India normally cannot meet this condition, so in practice this is not a direct route for Indian students.
No. The United States does not award the MBBS. Mayo awards the MD (Doctor of Medicine), the US equivalent of the MBBS. It is a graduate-entry degree requiring a bachelor's degree and the MCAT, not direct entry after Class 12.
No. US medical schools use the MCAT and the AMCAS application, not NEET. NEET UG is not part of admission here, and because this degree does not meet the NMC's rules, NEET UG does not open a route to practise in India from it.
The MD runs for four years, combining foundational science, core clinical clerkships at Mayo Clinic and advanced study, with the distinctive Science of Health Care Delivery strand running through the programme.
Mayo Clinic, the school's teaching hospital, is ranked the number one hospital in the United States by US News and World Report and the number one hospital in the world by Newsweek in 2026, giving students an exceptional clinical environment.
Not automatically free, but heavily subsidised. A 2018 gift of $200 million from Jay Alix funds scholarships that sharply reduce tuition, so Mayo MD graduates carry far less debt than the US average. Living costs still apply.
Yes. The MD programme is accredited by the LCME, Mayo is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), but the MD does not meet the NMC's FMGL Regulations 2021, so it does not make graduates eligible for FMGE.
Tuition for 2026-27 is about $70,280 (roughly ₹67.7 lakh), and Mayo estimates a total budget of around $110,000 a year including living costs. The Jay Alix scholarships substantially offset tuition for admitted students.
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine teaches across three Mayo Clinic campuses: Rochester in Minnesota (the main campus), Phoenix and Scottsdale in Arizona, and Jacksonville in Florida.
Yes, to varying degrees. Rochester has a smaller but present Indian community with some Indian restaurants and grocery stores, while the Arizona and Florida campus cities have larger Indian communities and more options.
Yes. The MCAT is required for all MD applicants. The average matriculant score is about 521 out of 528, and there is no published minimum; scores are reviewed holistically alongside the whole application.